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Kent (Maidstone, Canterbury, Bromley, Rochester, Margate,
Folkestone, Dover, Greenwich)
Kent was settled well before most other
parts of England and has the oldest recorded place name in the
British Isles. The County's history is closely bound up in it's
proximity to mainland Europe. Archaeological remains from
prehistoric times show clear links between Kent and northern Europe,
as well as a land link.
Kent had no single natural urban centre
but several towns of medium size. As local administration developed
Kent was divided into two units, East (Men of Kent), administered
from Canterbury, and West "Kentish Men", from Maidstone. In 1814
these two seperate administrations were merged and Maidstone became
the County town.
Ease of access by water to London developed Chatham and Sheerness as
dockland towns, and Margate and Ramsgate seaside resorts. All the
towns along the eastern coast were significant either as commercial
ports or in the defence of the realm.
Dover, Hythe, New Romney and Sandwich
were four of the Original five "Cinque Ports". Many paper mills were
set up in the seventeenth century where sufficient water was
available. Tunbridge Wells became a fashionable spa town in the
1670's. Else where in the County the dominant occupation was
horticulture and the growing of hops for brewing.
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